PJ Fleck: Hype or Hope??

PJ Fleck has taken the University of Minnesota by enthusiastic storm. He optimizes and oozes everlasting confidence in the ability of himself and Minnesota to become a national power. He throws catch phrases like, have an elite day, row the boat and other inspirational phrases around like 4th of July parade candy. I think the Tracey Claeys train was going to chug down the tracks of mediocrity at a slowing pace over the course of the next couple years. Claeys knows the game and is a good coach, maybe just not a D-I head coach. I do not think he was the long term future of the Gophers as a head coach. I do think if he had stayed neutral on the whole sexual assault he would have remained coach. By taking a controversial stance, he opened the door for PJ Fleck.

Will this enthusiastic approach work? I would say yes, to a degree. The thing that separates him from other snake oil salesmen coaches is that the enthusiasm appears to be genuine, a part of his persona. It doesn't appear to be a staged act for D-I football. He has proven a systematic building of success at Western Michigan, where he improved year after year. The guy is genuinely likeable in his enthusiasm and approach. The upside of this is its infectiousness if success is proven on the field. It can build very quickly and a 10 plus win season could be a possibility.

The down side is an over enthusiastic sales pitch can grow into a tiring, desparate sales pitch fast and has already failed twice at the University of Minnesota. The leadership of Coach Jim Wacker brought phrases such as "geezo beezo" and "my hearts a pumpin and corpuscles are jumpin". Tim Brewster had "get that dag gum chili hot boys". The enthusiasm was entertaining to listen to, but brought more losing seasons than winning ones. I also felt like I had to guard my wallet as I waited for the next pitch from these guys.